Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-07-12
A SAD ACcIDENT.-The GAINESVILLE, Ohio,
Courier of the 5th inst. contains the follow

A SAD ACCIDENT.-The GAINESVILLE, Ohio,
Courier of the 5th inst. contains the follow
ing
On Saturday, the daily Courier contained
the details, so far as could be obtained, OF
the terrible accident at NTcConnelsville
Friday night, by which Miss Mary, daugh-
ter of Rev. W. NJ. Grimes, pastor Of the
Presbyterian church at McConnelsville, lost
her life We have obtained the following
additional particulars The party had
rowed up the river as far as the Children's
Home, and turning about the skill was al
lowed to drift along with but little effort on
the part of the rowers. Mrs. Hector Nc
Lean sat in the bow of the boat; next was
MIR. Andrews. who had the oars in his
hands; next was Miss Mary Grimes, and
behind her Miss Anna Grimes. Mr.. Nc
Lean sat on the back seat at the stern, facing
down the river and slowly working scull-
ing oar under his arm. Mr.. Mclean had
noticed the steamer Bessie Siler coming
down the river, and noted that she carried
Iarboard and starboard lights and he turned
the skill to one side so as to get out of the
track of the steamboat. Suddenly dark
shadow enyeloped them and turning about
Mr. Mclean discovered that the Siler had
changed her course and was bearing down
upon them. The steamer was towing
barge ahead of her, and the fat hidden by
the shadow of the larger boat, was within
few feet of the skill. Mr.. Mclean saw that
an accident was unavoidable; he called 10
Mr.. Adrews to pull for the shore, at the
same time changing the course of the
frail boat. He had just turned the
skiff when the barge struck the forward end
of the little craft. Mr.. Mclean shouted to
his companions to catch hold OF the side Of
the barge and save themselves. AT thesame
moment he caught Miss Anna Grimes and
threw her into the fiat boat MIR. Andrews
jumped to the barge and saved himself
MIR. Mclean caught Miss Mary Grimes by
tho hand and with his feet planted on the
rear seat of the skH, and one hand holding
on the side of the barge he attempted to
save the young lady. She seemed to be
wedged in between the skitf and the barge,
and Mr.. Mclean, to reassure her said, hold
fast to my hand" Tine young lady plead.
ingly responded, cant you save me" and
Mr.. Mclean answered, Il will do all in my
power" when the skiG went down, and
with it Miss Mary Grimes and Mrs. Mclean,
Miss Grimes, who had probably been in
ured, sank to the bottom. Mrs. Mclean,
with great presence of mind, pulled a small
shawl, which she wore around her shoulders,
over her head and stuffed portion OF the
garment into her mouth excluding the water,
She retained her self control and floated
under the barge and steamboat, her head.
ever and anon striking the bottom of the
crafts to the stern of. the Siler, where she
rose to the surface and at once became un-
conscious. Capt. G.. F. Siler, standing on
the roof of his boat, witnessed the accident,
aud jumping into the river seized Mrs
Mclean, who was apparently lifeless.
With one hand he supported the lady, and
sustaining himself and his burden with the
other, he attempted to reach the boat. Mr..
Mclean, who had clambered aboard the
barge, ran back to the steamer and up on
roof, and seizing the life boat, he threw it
into the river. One Of the crew jumped in
to the yawl and rescued Capt. Siler and
Mrs. Mclean. But for the gallant and
heroic efforts of Captain Siler, MrF.
Mclean would have been drowned.
She was completely Frustrated and vigorous
measures were required to resuscitate her.
Miss Grimes sank in forty feet of water and
the body was recovered about eleven o'clock.
Mr.. Mclean was formerly Superinten-
dent of the W., o. & W. R. R., and with his
family resided in this city, where they have
many friends.